Consumers are frustrated by the lack of recall information associated with the 27-state Salmonella outbreak responsible for at least 291 illnesses and one death. The outbreak was announced Friday evening, the start of the three-day Labor Day weekend, but neither federal officials, nor the distributor have provided a list of stores where the cucumbers, piled in bulk displays without any identifying markings, were sold.
In comment sections of news reports about the outbreak consumers nationwide are asking: where were these sold? Good question.
Before we look further, it's worth mentioning that this outbreak didn't just sneak up on everyone on the Friday before Labor Day. People have been getting sick since July. The CDC held a consultation with four independent experts from the … [Read more...]

There is a large Salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers imported from Mexico by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce. Customers of that company are listed on the corporate website. For now, we know that the cucumbers were sold to consumers at Red Lobster restaurants and select Walmart stores. The report from the Minnesota Department of Health lists Red Lobster, and Walmart has posted the recall on their web site.
Other stores and restaurants listed as customers at the Andrew & Williamson site include In-N-Out Burgers, Save Mart Supermarkets, Sam's Club, The Capital Grille, United Supermarkets, Albertson's, H-E-B, Safeway, Kroger, Olive Garden, Costco, and Fresh & Easy. The recalled cucumbers may or may not have been sold at those outlets. The cucumbers were not sold at Whole … [Read more...]

Some restaurants around the country may have sold imported Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce cucumbers that have been recalled in connection with a multistate Salmonella outbreak. In Minnesota, at least 10 people were exposed to cucumbers sold at five Red Lobster restaurants.
The cucumbers were most likely used in salads served at the restaurants. Andrew & Williamson may have sold these cucumbers to other restaurants and companies too. While the investigation into where the cucumbers were sold to the public is ongoing, we know that Andrew & Williamson restaurant customers include In-N-Out Burger, The Capital Grille, and Olive Garden in addition to Red Lobster.
We also know that Limited Edition cucumbers, the type recalled, were sold through retail, food service companies, … [Read more...]

At least 480 people in 16 states have been sickened in the nationwide Cyclospora outbreak as of August 6, 2013. The CDC is reporting 467 sickened, but they do not have the latest numbers from Texas, which indicate 171 illnesses. At least 27 people have been hospitalized; no deaths have been reported.
The outbreak count by state is: Texas (171), Iowa (151), Nebraska (85), Florida (25), Wisconsin (12), Illinois (9), New York City (5), Georgia (4), Kansas (3), Louisiana(3), Arkansas (4), Missouri (3), Ohio (2), Connecticut (1), Minnesota (1), New Jersey (1), and New York (1). It is not yet clear whether all of the cases from all of the states are part of the same outbreak.
The cases in Iowa and Nebraska have been linked to Taylor Farms de Mexico bagged salads served at Olive Garden … [Read more...]

The state of Nebraska has been hard hit in the Cyclospora outbreak that has sickened more than 400 in 16 states. As of August 2, 2013, there are 84 people sick in that state, most in the eastern part. The counties of Douglas, with 47 cases, and Sarpy/Cass, with 11 cases, have the most illnesses.
The cases in Nebraska have been linked to salad mix by Taylor Farms de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., which makes foodservice salads that were served at local Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants. Taylor Farms de Mexico is located in Salinas, north of Mexico City. The states of Nebraska and Iowa have the most cases: 232 in all. But the 210 cases in other states have not been conclusively linked to the Nebraska/Iowa outbreak, or to Taylor Farms products.
Taylor Farms de Mexico has been … [Read more...]

Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-NY) asked the FDA for answers on the multistate cyclospora outbreak because public health officials are not releasing information on the name and source of the bagged salad mix linked to the illnesses.
Her letter, to FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg, states that, "to date there is minimal information available to the public on the possible cause(s) of this outbreak from federal agencies. In [Iowa and Nebraska] the trace back activity indicates an association with a prepackaged salad mix that 'came through national distribution channels' according to the announcements from both states."
She wants the FDA to release details on how the investigation unfolded, whether the FDA and CDC consider it acceptable to identify an outbreak source but withhold … [Read more...]